Hollister
– Robert Scattini has served happily in the role of San Benito
County marshal for almost two decades.
Hollister – Robert Scattini has served happily in the role of San Benito County marshal for almost two decades.
But through those two decades, the use of county marshals in California has been steadily decreasing.
In 1994, 38 of the 58 counties in California used marshals to serve civil lawsuits, warrants, summons of witnesses, complaints, court orders and process evictions, Scattini said. Now, San Benito County is one of just four counties in California still employing a marshal, Scattini said.
Other counties have either made the marshal an officer of the court or integrated the position into the sheriff’s office, Scattini said.
“Basically the marshal’s no different than the sheriff in the civil code,” Scattini said.
Scattini estimated that his office handles 90 percent of all civil matters in the county. Scattini runs the marshal’s office with one full-time secretary and four unpaid volunteer peace officers.
The marshal’s office even conducts traffic stops.
“I kind of discourage my guys from making traffic stops unless it’s really important,” Scattini said. “Unless it’s a serious violation.”
Some county officials do not think the elimination or integration of the marshal position is necessary.
Rich Inman, San Benito County director of internal services, said the marshal’s office is budgeted $97,815 annually, generates a revenue of $7,000 and costs the county $90,000. As marshal, 66-year-old Scattini is paid a flat rate of $19,000 annually, Inman said.
Inman believes keeping the position is in the best interest of the county.
“It wouldn’t make sense to eliminate the position,” Inman said. “He does a lot of processing and serving that we couldn’t get done elsewhere for the same amount of money.”
Scattini said the marshal’s office has processed 45 evictions since the beginning of December.
San Benito County Supervisor Anthony Botelho said the Board of Supervisors had looked at eliminating the marshal position in the past, but said the topic hasn’t come up recently. Botelho said many counties have eliminated the position and given the duties of the marshal to the county sheriff’s office. However, he doesn’t believe that would be effective in San Benito County at this point.
“Scattini is doing such a good job that I just don’t see a reason to consider abolishing the position. I don’t think anyone could do the job as well as he does it,” Botelho said. “If Scattini retired, then I would consider eliminating the position.”
San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill said the Sheriff’s Office and the marshal have a good working relationship. Hill said the Sheriff’s Office will assist in serving papers in the far reaches of the county.
Until a year ago, Scattini served as bailiff to the San Benito County Superior Court. The Sheriff’s Office now provides court bailiffs, Hill said.
Hill added that the state periodically reviews old statutes. As the trend of eliminating or integrating the county marshal position continues, the state could insist on a change for San Benito County, Hill said.
Ultimately the County Board of Supervisors will decide the fate of the San Benito County’s marshal, he said.
“Whether it’s necessary or not,” Hill said, “that’s not my call. It’s going to pretty much be between the board and the voters.”
Scattini said he is committed to serving until the end of his term, which runs through 2009.
“If I decide to run I’ll still be elected,” Scattini said. “If I’m alive.”
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or
mv*********@fr***********.com
.
